When it comes to plane travel, many of us want the journey to be as pain-free as possible, hoping that we’ll be sat next to someone who simply takes their allocated seat and falls asleep for a few hours – no snoring, of course – before calmly collecting their things and disembarking.
But what happens if you board the plane and find there are already people sitting where you should be?
Do you let it go and search for another seat that’s not in use, or do you cause a scene and insist on taking up your rightful place?
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One Reddit user found himself in that very predicament, saying an ‘old couple’ had tried to take the seats he’d booked.
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In the post, which was originally shared five years ago but has since resurfaced, he explained: “Few years ago my SO and I planned a 3 month trip around the world.
“Our first flight was from New Zealand-LA. 12-13 hours.
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“We booked and paid for our flights and I added the premium economy seats as I'm 6'3 and wanted the extra leg room. Cost an extra $60.
“This flight was with Air New Zealand, the screen has your name on it when you get to your seat.”
When they got on the plane, they found an ‘older couple’ in their mid-70s sitting in their seats.
“I ask them if they got confused with their seat numbers,” the Redditor continued.
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“They hadn't. I show them my ticket and seat number and point to my name on the screen.
“They then ask me just sit in their seats which was 10 rows back. No leg room.”
He proceeded to share how their conversation panned out after that.
Me: You want me to sit in your seats?
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OP (old people): Yes that would be nice thank you.
Me: I paid extra for these seats and would like to sit in them. Please move to your seats.
OP: Oh it's not that bad there's plenty or leg room.
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Me: Yeah there's plenty of leg room in my seats because I paid for it. I'll help move your bag if you need.
At this point, the flight attendant comes along to see what’s going on, as the queue is piling up.
OP: This man wants us to move seats!
FA: Sir please go to your allocated seats.
Me: Here is my ticket, these people are sitting in my seats. I paid extra because I need to leg room.
FA to old people: Excuse me, you will have to move to your own seats as you have not paid for these seats.
Old people: Well can we please have an upgrade?
FA: Sorry this is a full flight so that's not possible.
OP: Pikachu face.
The Reddit user added that he received ‘some stink eyes’ from other people on the flight but remained firm that, as he’d paid extra for the leg room, he ‘needed’ it.
While some people on the plane might have disagreed with his approach, internet users were generally in his corner.
One commented: “Honestly it wouldn’t matter if you were 4’0 - they were your seats. These people were ridiculous.”
Someone else said: “Seriously, what kind of person decides to take someone else's seat on a plane?
"I understand if there's an empty seat once you've taken off, but this kind of thing takes a special kind of entitlement.”
A third wrote: “You're definitely not the a**hole - those people are. Their entitlement and lack of self reflection is truly astounding in the worst ways.”
Topics: Travel, Plane Etiquette, Reddit
Jess Hardiman